Words from our President Mike Akers
Our 2005 activity planning session was a bitter-sweet success. The dilemma was we had too many suggested tours and not enough weeks to fit them all in. But I think the directors have planned a good variety of activities. There should be something for everyone. Now is the time to look at the calendar of events and plan your Model "A" year.
Don't forget if you participate in the MARC mileage driving awards program, January is the time to turn cards in to Jack Kubik. See you on the road.

Secretary’s Report
Our club has been very busy in the month of January. On the 6th we met at the home of Jack and Linda Kubik to continue planning for the 2006 membership meet. Each committee reported on the progress made to this point. Several decisions were made regarding logos, souvenirs, and plans to advertize the event at future MARC meets. Jack and Linda will host the next meeting on Feb. 17th at 6:30.
The club directors met Saturday morning Jan. 8th to review member suggestions for our 2005 driving tours. Several club members had volunteered to lead tours and many new destinations were recommended. In addition to the scheduled tours this year the club will organize a phone tree for those who would be interested in taking some short, spur of the moment trips. More information will be available as the details are worked out. Our first tour is scheduled for Jan. 22nd.
Remember to contact me if you know of any member in the hospital or grieving for a loved one. I’ll send a card or flowers to let them know our club is thinking of them. Judy Akers, Secretary 502-535-6665

Technical Tip
Do you need to clean the rust and other crud out of your Model A gas tank but hesitate to remove the tank from the body? Try this. Drain the gas from the tank and replace the shut off valve with a 1/4" pipe nipple. Slide an appropriately sized hose with clamp over the nipple. The hose should reach out the car door into a 5 gallon bucket. Use a C clamp on the bucket end of the hose as a shut off valve. With the hose clamped shut pour five gallons of clean kerosene into the tank. With the gas cap in place, put your foot on the running board, grab the door post firmly and shake the car vigorously back and forth. After a good sloshing of the kerosene open the C clamp to drain the sludge into the bucket. Strain the kerosene as it flows into the bucket, an old tee shirt over a screen will work. When the tank is empty clamp the hose shut and pour the strained kerosene back into the tank for another sloshing. Repeat this process until all the particles are washed out. Be prepared to do this several times depending on how much contamination is in the tank. The job will be easier with a helper, allowing you to shake the car and drain the tank at the same time. Once the tank is clean install a screen filter (part #A-9193-T) in the shut off valve. Also clean the sediment bulb and carburetor. Don’t use modern fuel filters with paper elements, they restrict the gravity flow fuel system and starve the carburetor.

Editor’s note: This tip is based on an article by Emeric Howell, accomplished Model A restorer and newsletter editor of the Fall City Region of MARC. We need more tech tips for future issues, send me some of your problem solving discoveries or knuckle busting mistakes to share with your Model A buddies.